While Skylanders Swap Force is compatable with all the previously released Skylander toys, you cannot buy the game on its own. You'll have to purchase a Starter Pack.

Found at most retailers, this set comes with the game, 3 Skylanders (Blast Zone, Wash Buckler, and Ninja Stealth Elf - each comes with a sticker sheet and Trading Card), the Portal of Power (the stand you place the Skylanders on to use them in the game), and a character poster featuring all the new Skylander toys. It will run you $74.99.

The Dark Skylanders have slightly better stats then the regular versions.

There's also the 3DS Starter Pack. It comes with the game, 3 Skylanders (Rattle Shake, Free Ranger and Lava Barf Eruptor - each with sticker sheet and Trading Card), the Portal of Power, and a character poster featuring all the new Skylander toys. It will run you $79.99.

These are what Swap Force is all about. Each Swap Force character splits at the waist so you can combine its bottom or top with another Swap Force character. This will allow you to create a Skylander of two different elements (Blast Zone's top with Wash Buckler's bottom equals a Fire/Water Skylander) which you'll need to access many areas in the game.

Additionally, each Swap Force Skylander has one of eight Swap Powers such as Blast Zone's Rocket ability or Wash Buckler's Climb ability. If you want to unlock everything in the game, you'll need a Swap Force figure of each element and each Swap Power. Unfortunately, not all of the necessary figures will be available at launch.

In addition to two Skylanders, these packs unlock additional play areas within Skylanders Swap Force.

The Fiery Force Battle Pack unlocks new Battle Arenas and includes Skylanders Bumble Blast and Knockout Terrafin. The Tower of Time Adventure Pack unlocks a new level to play and includes Skylander Pop Thorn and two Magic Powers: Battle Hammer and Sky Diamond. Each pack costs $24.99.

On Wednesday, October 15th, Toys 'R' Us will offer 12 new Skylanders including Fire Kraken and Boom Jet. Grilla Drilla is also pictured in the ad. All three are the $15.99 Swap Force figures. It's unclear what the other nine will be but Toys 'R' Us will have them before anyone else.